If you or your kids have never seen a B-17 "flying fortress" up close, come to Madras Airport and see the B-17 "sentimental journey," flying in on Friday, August 21 12-noon by the arizona wing of the commemorative air force.
"Sentimental Journey" will be on public display at Madras Airport, Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23. Flights are available in the restored world war two B-17 bomber, for a set price of $425 per person call (602) 448-9415.
The commemorative air force makes this stop in Madras, OR to give you a rare opportunity to see this historic world war two aircraft up close, and to help maintain the aircraft through donations and trip fares. It’s a unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts young and old.
WHAT: The most fully restored B-17 Flying Fortress SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY a World War II vintage bomber airplane will fly into Oregon Madras Airport and will be on display at the The Airshow of the Cascades, offering the public an up-close and personal look at this unique piece of aviation history. The public is invited to tour this airplane–inside and out. There’s even the opportunity for some lucky individuals to actually take a flight in SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY and experience this rare aircraft first-hand. Flight opportunities on SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is $425 - per person tax-deductible. The flight will average 45 minutes. For more information and to make reservations call (602)448-9415. Only a handful of these rare birds remain in the world today and most of them are on static display in museums.
WHERE: The aircraft will be on display at Oregon Madras Airport.
WHEN: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY will arrive at Madras Airport at 12:00 noon Friday, August 21, and will be on display until the aircraft departs Monday August 24.
Display dates and times at Madras Airport
August 21 – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
August 22 – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
August 23 – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
WHO: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY has been restored as a flying museum/memorial by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing so the public can tour these one of a kind aircraft. All tour proceeds benefit SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. Members of the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force are volunteers and the Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization.
WHY: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is a flying memorial and museum of the men who flew and crewed these airplanes, as well as the men and women who built them more than 50 years ago during and especially to the crews that did not return. The B-17 Flying Fortress was famous for the daylight bombing raids over Germany during World War II and could sustain such battle damage that the aircraft lived up to its name of the Flying Fortress. Out of 12,731 built there are only about 10 restored and airworthy examples remaining. For the airplane enthusiast, it’s an opportunity to have a museum come to the visitor instead of the traditional other way around.
BACKGROUND: Arizona Wing CAF background information, The Arizona Wing is an all-volunteer organization whose members are dedicated to preserving aviation history and wartime memorabilia for future generations. The Arizona Wing primary mission is to maintain and operate aircraft from WW II to Vietnam. On display in the Mesa museum at Falcon Field Airport is the world famous B-17G Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” restored to its 1944 WWII configuration. Also displayed is a B-25 Mitchell that flew out of Corsica during WW II, a T-6, C-45, F4 Phantom, Mig 15 & 21, A-26 Invader, L-16 Grasshopper and AFS2 Guardian. Warbird rides are available on B-17, T-6, C-45 for those who want to experience the rumble of the round engine and what it must have been like for our pilots in a bygone era.
The Arizona wing’s museum displays memorabilia from WWII and the Home Front through Vietnam and includes uniforms, leather flight jackets, medals, photographs, and other artifacts obtained through private donations. Special exhibits recognize WWII heroes such as ace pilot Maj. George Preddy, the top P-51 ace, and “Tuskegee Airmen,” a unit of African-American fighter pilots. Other displays honor fallen airmen such as the crew of “Chow Hound,” a B-17 bomber shot down over France in 1944 and recovered 60 years later and the Eighth Airforce. The American Volunteer Group the made up the Flying Tigers and the China Burma India Theater Plus a host of other exhibits.
You can tour through the B-17G Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” restored to its 1944 WWII configuration and each of crew positions in the legendary Flying Fortress.
The public will not only have the opportunity to look over from the inside out, but to hear and see them fly. It’s a unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts young and old. Aviation gifts will be available for purchase. See the Arizona Wing CAF website for more information on Sentimental Journey.
For further information e-mail Rick Senffner for information or images at pio@azcaf.org